MRSA Genomics: Advancing Knowledge for Effective Interventions

The World Health Organization has identified antimicrobial resistance as a critical global health issue, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a major concern. MRSA, known for causing severe infections, was once primarily associated with hospitals but has now spread widely in communities, posing significant risks due to its ability to easily acquire genes from other bacteria that make it more resilient and harder to treat with antibiotics. In Canada, MRSA strains are not routinely monitored outside healthcare settings, and genetic analysis at a population level is lacking. To bridge this gap, our research aims to study MRSA evolution, understand its antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and develop genetic analysis and monitoring tools. We will analyze MRSA samples from infected individuals, animals, and wastewater, with a focus on community-associated MRSA, to gain valuable insights that will inform interventions to combat MRSA. Additionally, we hypothesize that the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures may have impacted the prevalence of specific MRSA strains. By examining samples collected before and during the pandemic, we aim to identify genetic features enabling strains to survive antibiotics and disinfectants, which were extensively used during the pandemic. This new knowledge and understanding is important for improving treatments and implementing effective measures against MRSA spread, thereby contributing to pandemic preparedness and strengthening healthcare systems in the face of future health emergencies.